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Saturday, October 19, 2013

K-pop stars Sandara Park, Ailee attend State Dinner in South Korea

By
JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin

K-pop stars Sandara
Park of 2NE1 and Ailee attended the State Dinner hosted by South Korean President
Park Geun-hye for Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Oct. 17 at the
State Guest House of Cheong Wa Dae, or Blue House.

Sandara Park and Ailee at the State Dinner (Video grab by Bulletin Entertainment from SBS and RTVM footages)

President
Aquino held his State Visit to South Korea on Oct. 17 and 18, the first leader
to pay a State Visit under President Park’s administration.

Sandara
and Ailee were invited to the banquet attended by government officials and
business leaders.

In
her speech, President Park said Filipinos and Koreans share emotional
experiences through Korean dramas, K-pop and Korean food.

She
added that more than one million Koreans have visited the Philippines.

“Over
one million Korean tourists traveled to the Philippines being enchanted not
only by the beauties of your nature but also by the warmth of your people,”
said President Park as quoted by the Presidential Communications Operations
Office.

President
Park also mentioned Filipino-Korean Assembly woman Jasmine Lee, who is the
first naturalized Korean to be elected as proportional representative to
Korea’s National Assembly last year.

“Korea
and the Philippines now share a true partnership of mutual prosperity in all
areas. The peoples of the two countries have become one and through our shared
culture have developed heartfelt feelings for one another,” added President
Park.

Ailee
performed at the State Dinner, which also had cultural performances, according
to Radio TV Malacañang.

In
his speech, President Aquino said President Park’s election is “historic.”

“Just
as my mother was the first Filipina to lead my country, you hold the unique
privilege of serving and leading your nation as its first female president. It
is my hope that you will find the resilience and strength to guide your people
towards a more vibrant future for Korea,” he said.

He
added, “I would also like to thank the people of Korea for the welcome they
have shown not only to myself, but also to almost fifty thousand Filipinos who
live dignified and productive lives here in your country. Just as my countrymen
have experienced your kindness and generosity, I am confident that your
countrymen in the Philippines are experiencing the kind of hospitality and
friendship that are characteristic of the Filipino nation.”